Edge of Europe - A Belgian Interactive AAR

[viola]

I nominate Christiaan van der Velde, the Count of Ypres, for a Senatorial appointment. He has served Belgium loyally for more than twenty years, holding various governmental positions. His experience will be most useful for our upper chamber.

- Alexandre de Lannoy, Duke of Anjou-Brienne, Prime Minister of Belgium

Van De Velde is a known opponent of Democracy and of our most basic Constitutional principles, he has no place in the so-called "apolitical" Senate of Belgium. The king should stop this appointment, and of course it's just preposterous that we still have an appointed and undemocratic Upper House instead of an elected one.

- Carl Coppens, Independent Socialist Deputy

((I must say, I'm loving the fact that everyone has latched on so enthusiastically to the use of a word which will not become a neologism for at least 35 years. ))

((Blame the Conservatives. ))

 

[Otto of england]

Van De Velde is a known opponent of Democracy and of our most basic Constitutional principles, he has no place in the so-called "apolitical" Senate of Belgium. The king should stop this appointment, and of course it's just preposterous that we still have an appointed and undemocratic Upper House instead of an elected one.

- Carl Coppens, Independent Socialist Deputy

((Blame the Conservatives. ))

The Senate is suppose to be apartisan not apolitical. The former is an ideal to be strives for and the second impossible.

- Random RU deputy

 

[viola]

The Senate is suppose to be apartisan not apolitical. The former is an ideal to be strives for and the second impossible.

- Random RU deputy

Irrelevant, Van De Velde is still clearly unable of nonpartisanship conduct. An Authoritarian Reactionary like him should have never been allowed into politics in the first place, let alone become first minister of "Justice" and now a Senator!

- Carl Coppens, Independent Socialist Deputy

 

[Belgiumruler]

Irrelevant, Van De Velde is still clearly unable of nonpartisanship conduct. An Authoritarian Reactionary like him should have never been allowed into politics in the first place, let alone become first minister of "Justice" and now a Senator!

- Carl Coppens, Independent Socialist Deputy

and justice should be apolitical and based on evidence. I wa thrown into prison thanks to this man!

- Josef de Leeuw

 

[Ab Ovo]

and justice should be apolitical and based on evidence. I wa thrown into prison thanks to this man!

- Josef de Leeuw

And you should spend every night on your knees, thanking an all-too-merciful God for deigning to keep you from the noose which you so richly deserve.

-HvS

 

[Otto of england]

and justice should be apolitical and based on evidence. I wa thrown into prison thanks to this man!

- Josef de Leeuw

I would say the Ministry of Justice acted apolitically when you were arrested.

Irrelevant, Van De Velde is still clearly unable of nonpartisanship conduct. An Authoritarian Reactionary like him should have never been allowed into politics in the first place, let alone become first minister of "Justice" and now a Senator!

- Carl Coppens, Independent Socialist Deputy

I didn't realize you believed in double standards Heer Coppens. Anyhow I would say Van de Velde was very apartison in all of his ministerial positions or we would have a whole generation of men like him as he was Minister of Education 4 times. Additionally being authoritarian doesn't effect anything when you are a senator.

- Another RU deputy

((I'm waiting until the elections over to use my new Character.))

 

[ThunderHawk3]

1895 Early Elections​

​

​

​

By the end of 1894, Prime Minister Lannoy's governing RU-GLP coalition had lost majority control of the Parliament. The tipping point was a raft of by-elections in mixed-system constituencies and defections following the publication of an open letter by African-American missionary George Washington Williams. Williams, who had spent over a decade in Africa, had observed and noted a long raft of abuses by the government of the Congo Free State, depositing much of the evidence with the British foreign office. His open letter to the King of Belgium had been written in 1890 but only kindled public interest following the African Mutiny of 1893. Though Lannoy could not have been responsible for the alleged crimes and excesses that Williams noted, because he had not been in government at the time of the letter's writing, he was nevertheless widely criticized for his failure to act on the Congo. Three high-profile seat losses occurred in late January, 1894. Though an open letter from the former Prince-Regent Pierre d'Arenberg called Williams' credibility into question and assured the public and the King that all was well in the Congo, the damage had been done. Lannoy's coalition now held only 99 seats.

The Regalist Union was then faced with a critical question - should it risk a defeat in a no confidence vote and try to run the first minority government in the history of Belgium or call the nation's first ever early elections in an attempt to restore a firm footing for the administration. Either move was risky. Many in the RU favored the first option - the idea that they lacked a majority hinged on the behavior of the Liberal Democrats, a pro-reform but still monarchist breakaway wing of the Moderate Liberals. Every single LibDem would have to vote against the government to bring it down, and as the LDP had been implicitly cooperating with the government, the Prime Minister initially favored continuing on with a minority government.

Naturally, the opposition disagreed. When the Parliament reopened for the New Year, the radical wing of the BSU immediately called for a No Confidence vote against the government. Lannoy entered into negotiations with the LDP to preserve the administration. The LibDem leader, Jean-Luc Poisson, made clear that the LDP would only support the Lannoy government in exchange for Lannoy adopting a more reform-friendly position, particularly asking the Prime Minister to support a vote on the creation of an elected senate. Between an elected senate and new elections, the Regalists chose new elections. Lannoy dissolved the Parliament ahead of schedule for the first time in the nation's history.

Moving into the 1895 General Elections, the issue of republicanism hung over the Belgian political classes. Prosper-August I was scheduled to abdicate in just two years - and everyone was acutely aware that this election would decide whether he would be the last King of Belgium.


-------------------------


Player Actions Needed:

Under new voting rules, we won't consider general legislation until the next Parliament is seated. If you have party-specific proposals, now's the time to introduce them.

Declare yourself as running for any of Belgium's major parties (the Moderate Liberals, the National Democrats, the Belgian Social Union, the Regalist Union), or as a candidate for Minister of Flanders, Minister of Wallonia, or Minister of Brussels.

The LDP is also contesting this election, as will another new party (scheduled to be formed by Sirk).

Sample Declarations:

I'm running for Leader of the Regalist Union/Moderate Liberal/National Democrats/Belgian Social Union.

I'm running for Minister of Wallonia/Minister of Flanders/Minister of Brussels.

I'm agitating!

This declaration period ends at 8 PM PST 3/3 (4 AM GMT 3/4 assuming the Russians don't annex the thread)

 

[Belgiumruler]

I will be running leadership for the BSU.

- Josef de Leeuw

 

[viola]

And you should spend every night on your knees, thanking an all-too-merciful God for deigning to keep you from the noose which you so richly deserve.

-HvS

Tsk, tsk. Shouldn't you be too busy writing some of your crazy manifestos?
Poor old man, I think it's time for you to go back to the hospice.

I didn't realize you believed in double standards Heer Coppens. Anyhow I would say Van de Velde was very apartison in all of his ministerial positions or we would have a whole generation of men like him as he was Minister of Education 4 times. Additionally being authoritarian doesn't effect anything when you are a senator.

- Another RU deputy

Apartisan certainly, like when he used the constitutional court to declare illegal an organization that was completely demilitarized years ago! Van De Velde is a menace to our institutions, we can't tolerate outspoken Authoritarians into the Senate.

- Carl Coppens, Independent Socialist Deputy

 

[Ab Ovo]

I will be running for Minister of Wallonia.

~Blaise Sauveterre,
Minister of Wallonia

 

[Marschalk]

Tsk, tsk. Shouldn't you be too busy writing some of your crazy manifestos?
Poor old man, I think it's time for you to go back to the hospice.



Apartisan certainly, like when he used the constitutional court to declare illegal an organization that was completely demilitarized years ago! Van De Velde is a menace to our institutions, we can't tolerate outspoken Authoritarians into the Senate.

- Carl Coppens, Independent Socialist Deputy

We should not have tolerated radical drug-addicted criminals or firebrand extremists who called for the death of the King and Senators into our parliament, but we somehow do. The presence of men like Carl Coppens or Amedee Dupointe within our ranks are a shame to the institution, without even discussing ideological matters.

- Alexandre de Lannoy, Duke of Anjou-Brienne, Prime Minister of Belgium

 

[Otto of england]

Tsk, tsk. Shouldn't you be too busy writing some of your crazy manifestos?
Poor old man, I think it's time for you to go back to the hospice.



Apartisan certainly, like when he used the constitutional court to declare illegal an organization that was completely demilitarized years ago! Van De Velde is a menace to our institutions, we can't tolerate outspoken Authoritarians into the Senate.

- Carl Coppens, Independent Socialist Deputy

The Ministry of Justice has no control over court ruling so if the courts agreed with Van de Velde in regards to the illegality of the Red Legion then it was infact illegal. If anything I would say you are a bigger menace to our country.

- That random deputy again

 

[viola]

The Ministry of Justice has no control over court ruling so if the courts agreed with Van de Velde in regards to the illegality of the Red Legion then it was infact illegal. If anything I would say you are a bigger menace to our country.

- That random deputy again

The findings of the court have no ground in reality, the Red Legion was and still is a peaceful organization, whatever the Reactionaries in power say.
Furthermore the idea that I, somehow, would be more dangerous than the bunch of Beauffortists currently in control of the nation is absolutely laughable. Thankfully we are going to get rid of this pathetic Feudal vestige of a government soon enough.

- Carl Coppens, Independent Socialist Deputy

 

[Otto of england]

The findings of the court have no ground in reality, the Red Legion was and still is a peaceful organization, whatever the Reactionaries in power say.
Furthermore the idea that I, somehow, would be more dangerous than the bunch of Beauffortists currently in control of the nation is absolutely laughable. Thankfully we are going to get rid of this pathetic Feudal vestige of a government soon enough.

- Carl Coppens, Independent Socialist Deputy

Not so long ago you asked, no encouraged the death of a child King, our Sentator and bascily the whole right wing. Van de Velde, on the other hand hated violence against fellow Belgians.

- Random RU deputy continues

 

[Marschalk]

The Prime Minister has spoken in the Regalist Union convention.

Gentlemen,

Today I once again proudly to address this party. For decades we have been defending the great values of monarchism, patriotism, honor and traditionalism. The Conservative Movement has, for fifty years, been the most supported political group in the land. The principles that unite us are dear to Belgian people and we will always defend them fervently. We have been through turbulent years lately - and had to defend the country from many dangers. We acted as crisis managers, correcting the mistakes of the past and leading the country through turbulent waters. I proud with the work we have done - for, if this government did not stay firm, Belgium would have either been a revolutionary republic, like Spain or Brazil - or would have lost all her territorial possesions, descending into poverty. We had to take hard and neccessary decisions - and took them, saving the country, taking the responsibility for its safety. We managed to save the rule of law, to save our state - and I want to thank you all for being near me in these turbulent years.

I must say that I still did not make a certain decision, whether I would run for the leadership of the party this term. I am will continue serving it with all my zeal, but I believe that a new generation of leadership would need gradually to emerge, to which I would could pass the reigns. Therefore I encourage all members of the party that think that can lead this great movement to declare their candidacies.

- Alexandre de Lannoy, Duke of Anjou-Brienne, Prime-Minister of Belgium

 

[theAhawk]

I shall be running for the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party, and intend to publish a full manifesto in due course.

~ Lord Jean-Luc Poisson, 2nd Duke of Benin

 

[jeeshadow]

In the days following the dissolving of Parliament, something of interest happened. Lannoy's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pytor Aerts, made a statement on the domestic affairs of Belgium. Aerts up until that point had done what he could to stay above domestic squabbles, but the situation of Belgium had become quite dire.

I have often tried to stay above the domestic squabbles of Belgium, and instead focus on my duties and Minister, and shadow Minister, of Foreign Affairs. I have found that the domestic fights in parliament are often wastes of energy, and quite worthless, and so, I have not wasted my energy. Until now. I have come to a sad, yet true conclusion. The state of Belgian politics is quite sickening. All we do is squabble, and accomplish little. I have decided I can not sit by any longer. I must take a more active role in Belgian internal affairs. As such, I announce my intention to run for Party Leader of the Regalist Union. Action to save the monarchy must be swift, and decisive. I also call appone the Moderate Liberals, and Liberal Democrats to help us save the Monarchy. We must save Belgium.

 

[viola]

Not so long ago you asked, no encouraged the death of a child King, our Sentator and bascily the whole right wing. Van de Velde, on the other hand hated violence against fellow Belgians.

- Random RU deputy continues

Oh, that event again, I prefer to call that an "energetic call for Republic and political reforms" rather than actual death threats, the Conservatives just like to grasp at straws when they attack Socialism. *Coppens smirks*
About Van de Velde I think that it would be more realistic to say that he never had the occasion to do what he truly wanted to do to his fellow Belgian, and therefore he posed as non-violent, if he had the occasion to restore his dear Autocracy he wouldn't have been so peaceful.

- Carl Coppens, Independent Socialist Deputy

 

[Ab Ovo]

Oh, that event again, I prefer to call that an "energetic call for Republic and political reforms" rather than actual death threats, the Conservatives just like to grasp at straws when they attack Socialism. *Coppens smirks*
About Van de Velde I think that it would be more realistic to say that he never had the occasion to do what he truly wanted to do to his fellow Belgian, and therefore he posed as non-violent, if he had the occasion to restore his dear Autocracy he wouldn't have been so peaceful.

- Carl Coppens, Independent Socialist Deputy

Here's an energetic call for the monarchy: go drown yourself you miserable wretch. It would have been better that your mother took a tumble down a flight of stairs than unleash such a repugnant creature such as yourself upon this earth.

-HvS

 

[viola]

Here's an energetic call for the monarchy: go drown yourself you miserable wretch. It would have been better that your mother took a tumble down a flight of stairs than unleash such a repugnant creature such as yourself upon this earth.

-HvS

You make me blush, good sir!
*Several Socialist deputies laughed*

- Carl Coppens, Independent Socialist Deputy